Winter

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—The rival Koreas took steps toward reducing their bitter animosity during rare talks Tuesday, as North Korea agreed to send a delegation to next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea and reopen a military hotline.The meeting, the first of its kind in about two years, was arranged after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made an abrupt push for improved ties with South Korea following a year of elevated tensions with the outside world over his expanding nuclear and missile programs. Critics say Kim may be trying to divide Seoul and Washington in a bid to weaken international pressure and sanctions on the North.During the talks, the North Korean delegation said it would send an Olympic delegation, including officials, athletes, cheerleaders, journalists and others, South Korean Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung told reporters, according to media footage from the border village of Panmunjom, the venue of the talks. Read more: Senior officials from … [Read more...] about North Korea agrees to send delegation to Winter Olympics after talks with South Korea

North Korea said during rare talks with the South on Tuesday it would send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea next month and Seoul said it was prepared to lift some sanctions temporarily so the visit could take place.At the first formal talks with South Korea in more than two years, North Korean officials said their delegation to the Games would consist of athletes, high-ranking officials and a cheering squad.The talks are being closely watched by world leaders eager for any sign of a reduction in tension on the Korean peninsula, amid rising fears over North Korea’s missile launches and development of nuclear weapons in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.South Korea has unilaterally banned several North Korean officials from entry in response to Pyongyang’s ramped-up missile and nuclear tests, held despite international pressure.However, some South Korean officials have said they see the Olympics as a possible opportunity for … [Read more...] about North Korea to send team to Winter Games, South to consider easing bans after talks

Jeremy Corbyn has attacked Theresa May over her reshuffle on Monday, labelling it a “lacklustre PR exercise.” The Conservative Prime Minister has been shaking up her front bench, with Karen Bradley appointed Northern Ireland secretary after predecessor James Brokenshire resigned over health reasons, Matt Hancock made culture secretary, and David Gauke appointed justice secretary. But the heavy-hitters – including Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, Sajid Javid, and Greg Clark – have remained in their existing roles. Jeremy Hunt, now the longest-serving health secretary ever, has given an expanded brief that includes social care. According to one report, he had been due to be moved to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, but refused. Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn accused May of “dodging the real issues” with a “pointless” … [Read more...] about Jeremy Corbyn labels Theresa May’s reshuffle a ‘lacklustre PR exercise’ amid NHS winter crisis

The daytime skies have been Winnipeg-like in their crystalline blue of late, the stars at night a kaleidoscope above the city, snow settling in a hush on the bare branches of trees to create nature’s own artwork.To those in many parts of Canada, Toronto and southern Ontario will always be the country’s banana belt, home to a garden of tender flowers seldom chillier than it takes to nicely cool the chardonnay.Perhaps. Inuvik, or even Ottawa, we aren’t. But we have had our moments.An ice storm in the winter of 2013-14 knocked power out across swaths of the city for Christmas – including, showing the elements and their consequences play no favourites – the home of Premier Kathleen Wynne.In 2007-08, Toronto had its third snowiest winter on record. And, as all Canadians know and ceaselessly remind this city, former mayor Mel Lastman, no model of wintry calm, was moved to call out the army to help contend with the snows of 1999. … [Read more...] about How to enjoy the cold of winter

Environment Canada says a cold air mass is settling in over Atlantic Canada as parts of the region continue to battle the remnants of a fierce winter storm.The agency has issued extreme cold warnings for much of New Brunswick, while P.E.I. and swaths of western Nova Scotia have been advised to brace for wind chills below -30 C this weekend.Forecasters say storm surge will pound Newfoundland’s coasts, while brawny winds will develop on Saturday around Burgeo, Port aux Basques and the Avalon and Burin peninsulas before dying down in the evening. Read more: Bitter cold disrupts life on Canadian, U.S. east coast after winter storm brought snow, hurricane-force winds … [Read more...] about Extreme cold settles in as Atlantic Canada, U.S. East Coast battle remnants of fierce winter storm